Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    Nostalgia Central
    • Home
    • Blog
      • Lists
      • Playlists
    • Television
      • TV by Decade
        • TV – 1950s
        • TV – 1960s
        • TV – 1970s
        • TV – 1980s
        • TV – 1990s
      • Comedy
      • Drama
      • Kids TV
      • Variety
      • News & Sport
      • Advertisements
    • Music
      • Music by Decade
        • Music – 1950s
        • Music – 1960s
        • Music – 1970s
        • Music – 1980s
        • Music – 1990s
      • Artists – A to K
        • Artists – A
        • Artists – B
        • Artists – C
        • Artists – D
        • Artists – E
        • Artists – F
        • Artists – G
        • Artists – H
        • Artists – I
        • Artists – J
        • Artists – K
      • Artists – L to Z
        • Artists – L
        • Artists – M
        • Artists – N
        • Artists – O
        • Artists – P
        • Artists – Q
        • Artists – R
        • Artists – S
        • Artists – T
        • Artists – U
        • Artists – V
        • Artists – W
        • Artists – X
        • Artists – Y
        • Artists – Z
      • Artists – 0 to 9
      • Genres
      • Music on Film & TV
      • One-Hit Wonders
      • Online Radio
    • Movies
      • Movies by Decade
        • Movies – 1950s
        • Movies – 1960s
        • Movies – 1970s
        • Movies – 1980s
        • Movies – 1990s
      • Movies – 0 to 9
      • Movies – A to K
        • Movies – A
        • Movies – B
        • Movies – C
        • Movies – D
        • Movies – E
        • Movies – F
        • Movies – G
        • Movies – H
        • Movies – I
        • Movies – J
        • Movies – K
      • Movies – L to Z
        • Movies – L
        • Movies – M
        • Movies – N
        • Movies – O
        • Movies – P
        • Movies – Q
        • Movies – R
        • Movies – S
        • Movies – T
        • Movies – U
        • Movies – V
        • Movies – W
        • Movies – X
        • Movies – Y
        • Movies – Z
    • Pop Culture
      • Fads
      • Toys & Games
      • Fashion
      • Decor
      • Food & Drink
      • People
      • Technology
      • Transport
    • Social History
      • 1950s Year by Year
      • 1960s Year by Year
      • 1970s Year by Year
      • 1980s Year by Year
      • 1990s Year by Year
      • Events
    Nostalgia Central
    Home»Music»Artists - L to Z»Artists - S
    Artists - S Music - 1980s 3 Mins Read

    Stems, The

    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Reddit Email

    The Stems were one of the finest 1960s-inspired garage bands Australia produced in the ’80s, during a time when paisley-clad, mop-topped psychedelic revival bands were prevalent down under. Hailing from Perth in Western Australia, they captured the sound and the spirit of 1965 perfectly.

    Leader Dom Mariani’s earliest influences included The Beatles, The Raspberries, Badfinger and Big Star. He formed his first band (The Go Starts) in 1981 and The Stems in 1984.

    stems1

    The band took its cue from classic 1960s pop/R&B bands like The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, The Byrds, The Standells and The Easybeats, but rather than perform as a covers band they played a solid repertoire of original material (penned by Mariani and Lane). The Stems made their live debut in March 1984, supporting The Saints and The Triffids.

    Shuttleworth left the band in June and was replaced by Julian Matthews, and the band began promoting their own themed gigs with titles like ‘Monster Mash’, ‘Reverberation’ and ‘Psychedelic Showdown’.

    In May 1985, their debut single was issued by Sydney independent label, Citadel. The single – Make You Mine – was followed in September by Tears Me In Two.

    Both singles were classic slices of exuberant garage-fuzz pop that invited comparisons with everyone from The Monkees to The Yardbirds. Both releases hit the top of the independent charts, selling 5,000 copies each (which was a lot for an independent release in Australia, trust me!).

    Ex-Radio Birdman frontman Rob Younger produced their next release – a four track, 12-inch EP entitled Love Will Grow (Rosebuds Volume One) which also hit #1 on the Aussie independent chart. Shortly after the EP was released, Gary Chambers left the band and was replaced by David Huck Shaw.

    The Stems spent most of 1986 touring nationwide including support slots to the Hoodoo Gurus and overseas visitors, The Flamin’ Groovies. At the end of the year, the band signed a new deal with Mushroom Records’ White subsidiary label.

    stems3

    Their debut album, At First Sight . . . Violets Are Blue (June 1987), produced three more independent #1 singles – At First Sight (Feb 1987), For Always (May 1987) and Sad Girl (Sept 1987). At First Sight was also included on the soundtrack of the Australian-made feature film, Young Einstein (1988).

    Despite positive sales and encouraging reviews for the album, The Stems called it a day in August 1987. Mariani then joined Sydney musician Daryl Mather (ex- Lime Spiders) to form The Some Loves – a brilliant power pop band who released the classic single Know You Now in September 1988.

    Dom Mariani
    Vocals, guitar
    Richard Lane
    Keyboards, guitar, vocals
    Julian Matthews
    Bass
    David Huck Shaw
    Drums
    Gary Chambers
    Drums
    John Shuttleworth
    Bass

    Video

    Related Posts

    • Inmates, The
      Inmates, The
      This British R&B-band was formed in London in 1979 by Peter Staines (guitar, vocals), Bill Hurley (vocals), Tony Oliver (guitar),…
    • Scruffs, The
      Scruffs, The
      Hailing from Memphis, Tennessee, The Scruffs' easily filled the void left by The Raspberries and Big Star with their debut album,…
    • Porcelain Bus
      Porcelain Bus
      Porcelain Bus began in 1980 in Sydney (Australia) when guitarist Rob McKiernan, vocalist Ian James and bassist Paul Patrick got…
    • Long Ryders, The
      Long Ryders, The
      Hailing from Los Angeles, The Long Ryders formed in November 1981 and based their sound on a blend of psychedelia,…
    • Affections, The
      Affections, The
      The story of Australian power pop band The Affections began in Sydney in the mid 70's when school friends Rob Smith, Rob…
    • Sing Sing Sing
      Sing Sing Sing
      1 9 6 2 - 1 9 6 5 (Australia) This musical variety series from ATN7 (Australia) was originally hosted in…
    • Arctic Circles, The
      Arctic Circles, The
      1960s-influenced band The Arctic Circles played the Melbourne (Australia) independent scene in the mid-1980s. The band's sound fused garage-punk, psychedelia…
    • Wrong Side Of The Road (1981)
      Wrong Side Of The Road (1981)
      Directed by Ned Lander, The Wrong Side of The Road tells the story of two Aboriginal rock bands - No Fixed Address and…

    Australia Power Pop
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleSteely Dan
    Next Article Sunrays, The

    Comments are closed.

    Follow us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    You May Also Like
    • Caretaker, The (1963)
      The Caretaker as a play changed the face of modern theatre and […]
    • Col Joye
      Veteran Australian entertainer Col Joye was born Colin Frederick […]
    • Omega Factor, The
      1 9 7 9 (UK) 10 x 50 minute episodes Tom Crane (James Hazeldine) […]
    • Watch Mr Wizard
      1 9 5 1 – 1 9 6 5 (USA) 1 9 7 1 – 1 9 7 2 (USA) […]
    • Budgie
      Hailing from Cardiff in 1967 and taking their cue from Led […]
    • Mike and Bernie’s Show
      1 9 6 6 (UK) 9 x 45 minute episodes 1 9 6 8 (UK) 6 x 45 minute […]
    Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

    OUR LATEST FACEBOOK POSTS

    www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-64418847 ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Mr Blobby costume sells for more than £62,000 on eBay

    www.bbc.co.uk

    The character, made famous by BBC show Noel's House Party, had been in storage since the 1990s.
    1 day ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 0
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    Put some beefiness into your mid-week menu with these recipe ideas published in a Birds Eye advertisement from the Radio Times on 30 September 1965.

    Put some "beefiness into your mid-week menu" with these recipe ideas published in a Birds Eye advertisement from the "Radio Times" on 30 September 1965. ... See MoreSee Less

    7 days ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 3
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    They were awful. An overpowering savoury flavour that lingered in your mouth for hours. Heaven knows what unmentionable parts of a bull went into making them 😳

    More sad news 😪

    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    US rock legend David Crosby dies aged 81

    www.bbc.co.uk

    Crosby, who co-founded both the Byrds and Crosby, Stills and Nash, had been ill for some time.
    1 week ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 0
    • Shares: 1
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    This is what they promised us when I was a kid. What happened? 

All I have is 700 channels of rubbish on the TV in High Def, TikTok, Facebook and a phone I can take photographs with . . .

    This is what they promised us when I was a kid. What happened?

    All I have is 700 channels of rubbish on the TV in High Def, TikTok, Facebook and a phone I can take photographs with . . .
    ... See MoreSee Less

    1 week ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 54
    • Shares: 22
    • Comments: 7

    Comment on Facebook

    I thought we would have moving pavements by now when I was a kid 😂

    Totally agree!!!

    The new Tesla, 4.6 next century.

    We got transvestite story hour instead

    We appear to be going backwards

    There's actually a very good David Graeber essay on this very topic: thebaffler.com/salvos/of-flying-cars-and-the-declining-rate-of-profit

    The Jetsons strike again.

    View more comments

    Renowned Australian singer Renee Geyer is dead at 69 following complications from hip surgery. Such a fabulous voice. RIP😢

https://nostalgiacentral.com/music/artists-l-to-z/artists-r/renee-geyer/

    Renowned Australian singer Renee Geyer is dead at 69 following complications from hip surgery. Such a fabulous voice. RIP😢

    nostalgiacentral.com/music/artists-l-to-z/artists-r/renee-geyer/
    ... See MoreSee Less

    2 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 0
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    That is so sad to hear 😥 rest in peace 🙏 🕊 xx

    Gina Lollobrigida: Italian screen star dies at 95
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-64292026

    Gina Lollobrigida: Italian screen star dies at 95
    www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-64292026
    ... See MoreSee Less

    2 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 4
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    😍😍😍😍

    Vale Jeff Beck. Dead at 78. 😢

    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Jeff Beck: British guitar legend dies aged 78

    www.bbc.co.uk

    One of rock's most influential guitarists, he was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice.
    2 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 1
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    Hi everyone. Were in the process of moving www.nostalgiacentral.com to new dedicated servers to better cope with the volumes of traffic. Please ignore any SSL security errors you may receive when visiting the site over the next 24 hours while the move completes.

    Hi everyone. We're in the process of moving www.nostalgiacentral.com to new dedicated servers to better cope with the volumes of traffic. Please ignore any SSL security errors you may receive when visiting the site over the next 24 hours while the move completes. ... See MoreSee Less

    3 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 5
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 2

    Comment on Facebook

    Ironically, this post has jumped off the page at me. You'll probably get most traffic today because everyone will want to see what they might be missing!

    Martin Platt

    RIP Fred White, drummer with Earth, Wind and Fire, who has died aged 67. 😢

    RIP Fred White, drummer with Earth, Wind and Fire, who has died aged 67. 😢 ... See MoreSee Less

    4 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 4
    • Shares: 2
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    Great band

    RIP Dame Vivienne Westwood,  one of the most recognised and influential designers of the late twentieth century. 
https://nostalgiacentral.com/pop-culture/fashion/vivienne-westwood/

    RIP Dame Vivienne Westwood, one of the most recognised and influential designers of the late twentieth century.
    nostalgiacentral.com/pop-culture/fashion/vivienne-westwood/
    ... See MoreSee Less

    4 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 3
    • Shares: 1
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    Load more
    Please note


    Nostalgia Central covers the period 1950 to 1999 and contains some words and references which reflect the attitudes of those times and which may be considered culturally sensitive, offensive or inappropriate today.
    Popular Tags
    1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1975 1976 Action Figures Amicus Arcade games Australia Beach movies Beatles Blaxploitation Board games Britpop Canada Crime Disney Doo-Wop Elvis Presley Girl groups Glam Goth Hammer Heavy Metal Irwin Allen Labels Merseybeat Mod revival Motown New Romantic New Wave NWOBHM Oi! One-hit wonders Power Pop Pub rock Punk Radio Scotland Ska Soul music Sport Surf music
    Search Nostalgia Central
    Copyright © 1998, 2023 Nostalgia Central
    • About Nostalgia Central
    • Contact
    • FAQ

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.